KINDER INTRODUCES SCHOOL CHOICE BILL IN MISSOURI SENATE

JEFFERSON CITY - State Sen. Peter Kinder said Wednesday he will ask the chairman of the Senate Education Committee for an early hearing on a bill he has introduced providing for school choice.

The Cape Girardeau Republican said his measure could completely revitalize Missouri schools by providing scholarships to students for enrolling in the public or private school of their choosing.

"My bill will guarantee educational choice for all Missouri school children and their parents," said Kinder. "It is designed to better provide for the students' constitutionally guaranteed education, regardless of one's economic profile. It's time we gave to poor and middle-income parents the same choice wealthy parents have always enjoyed."

Kinder said he was pleased to have three Democrats and five Republicans join him in sponsoring the school choice bill, which he said is a good indication of the bipartisan support that will be needed to pass the measure.

Sen. Harold Caskey, D-Butler, the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, is not one of Kinder's cosponsors, though Kinder is discussing the measure with him.

"I am hopeful for a quick hearing," said Kinder. "I will ask Sen. Casey for an early hearing, but it is pretty much at his discretion," said Kinder, who earlier this month was named to a seat on the education panel.

If the bill were to make it through the Senate this year, Kinder said Rep. Ron Auer, D-St. Louis, has agreed to handle it in the House.

Kinder's bill is a joint resolution, which would be an amendment to the Missouri Constitution. If passed by the General Assembly, it would go to voters for final passage.

"Legislators from St. Louis to Kansas City and across rural Missouri have signed onto this bill because they realize its importance," said Kinder. "The passage of this amendment is in the best interest of all Missourians, regardless of income or hometown."

Among Kinder's Democratic cosigners are Sen. John Scott of St. Louis, a former president pro tem of the Senate, and Harry Wiggins of Kansas City, a former majority floor leader in the chamber. The other Democrat is Sen. Ronnie DePasco of Kansas City.

Republican cosponsors include Minority Leader Franc Flotron of St. Louis and Sen. Thomas McCarthy of Chesterfield, a former minority leader in the Senate. Other Republicans signing onto the measure are Sens. Mike Reid of Hazelwood, Irene Treppler of Mattese, and Walt Mueller of Kirkwood.

With 34 members of the Senate, it takes 18 votes to pass a bill in the chamber.

Under the measure, the program would begin in fall 1995 and insure coverage of all school children by fall 1997 as scholarships are phased in. Kinder stressed that phasing in the scholarships is important in order to work within the existing budget.

The amendment would provide a fixed scholarship, which is currently $2,227 per pupil per year. This amount is approximately one half of the present public education costs. Therefore, the greater numbers of scholarship-redeeming students, the more savings to the state.

In wording the bill, Kinder said he was careful to use language that preserves the autonomy of public and private schools. For instance, each school would ultimately decide if they choose to become a scholarship-redeeming institution. Any additional regulation of private schools would require a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.

Said Kinder: It is of utmost importance to strengthen and preserve our neighborhood schools no matter how large or small they may be."

Kinder said he is sponsoring the bill because he believes the future of Missouri's schools hinges on full parental choice of their children's schools.

"I want to see this bill improve our schools today, much as the GI Bill improved education years ago," said Kinder. "The bottom line is that we need school choice to insure quality education for our children."